We all know the saying bigger is not always better, and this certainly applies to shelling.  One of the most beautiful finds along the Outer Banks beaches is the tiny white gastropod the wentletrap. 

The shell, usually less than one inch,  gets its name from its appearance and comes from the old Dutch wenteltrappe, meaning spiral stairs.

Over 24 species of wentletraps have been found in North Carolina, including the brown banded wentletrap, Humphrey's wentletrap, angulate wentletrap and fine ribbed wentletrap.  If you find one wentletrap, keep looking, as many wash up at one time.

The shells below were all collected in about an hour along a short stretch of beach last month.